Automatic journal-lubricator



J.-J. HENNESSY.

AUTOMATIC JOURNAL LUBRICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l5, 191a.

Patented May 17, 1921.

3 SHEEISSHEET I.

J. J. HENNESSY.

AUTOMATIC JOURNAL LUBRICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l5, 1918- 1,378,452. Patented May 17, 1921.

3 SHEEIS-SHEET 2.

' 1.1. HENNE'SSY.

AUTOMATIC JOURNAL LUBRICATCR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l5. 191a.

Patented May 17, 1921.

3 SHEEISSHEET 3- PATENT OFFICE. 1

JAMES J. HENNESSY, OF NEW 'YQRK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC JOURNAL-LUBRICATOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES J. HENNESSY, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York city, New York have invented a certain new anduseful improvement in Automatic J ournal-Lubricators, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofthis specification.

My invention relates generally to lubricating devices and morespecifically to a railway car 'ournal lubricator of the type disclosedin atents Nos. 1,265,198 and 1,265,199 issued to me May 7, 1918.

The principal objects of my invention are, to generally improve upon andsimplify the construction of the lubricating devices disclosed in theaforesaid patents, and to provide a relatively simple lubricating devicewhich is wholly automatic in its operation, positive in action, andeffective to a high degree in which it is intended.

In Patent No. 1,265,199 above referred to, the piston of the pumputilized for effecting a circulation of liquid lubricant is operated byinertia resulting from the longitudinal movement of the journal withinthe journal box, and as distinguished from this arrangement, my presentconstruction contemplates a structure wherein the pumping mechanism isoperated by direct contact with the journal or a part carried thereby,it being understood that while in operation car axles have, in additionto their rotary movement,

a slight longitudinal movement, and con sequently the journals on theends of said axles move backward and forward longitudinally through thejournal boxes, the latter being fixed to the car trucks. Thislongitudinal movement of the car axles is due to a number of causes,principally to slight vertical and transverse variations in the trackrails and I propose to use this sli ht lengthwise movement of the axlesto e eat the actuation of a pump or pumping means, and thereby bringabout a circulation of lubricating oil from the lubricant containerwithin'the journal box to the container in which the waste ispositioned, and which latter, it will be understood, makes directcontact with the lower half of the journal.

With the foregoing and other objects in Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 15, 1918.

erforming the functions for Patented May 17 1921.

Serial No. 250,045.

view, my invention consists in certain'novel features of construction ofparts, hereinafter proximately onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is .an enlarged detail section taken approximately on the line Hof Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a journal box, and showing a modifiedform of my improved automatic lubricator.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 66 of Fig-5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken through the center of a journal boxand showing a further modified form of automatic lubricator.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section taken approxi- .mately on the line 88 ofFig. 7.

. Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, and particularlythe form of lubricator illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4; inclusive which isdesigned especially for locomotive trucks and driver journals, 10designates a liquid-lubricant container or receptacle which is rigidlyfixed in any suitable manner to a part of the locomotivev frame. Thisreceptacle comprises a bottom, side walls, and end walls, the upperportions of the latter being cut away to form semi-circular openingswhich receive the journal A. Positioned within this receptacle andyieldingly supported upon a compression spring 11 is a specially formedcasting which carries the operating parts of the pump utilized forcirculating the liquid lubricant and said casting comprises ahorizontally disposed bottomplate 12, and upwardly presented concaveplate 13, and end walls 14, the upper portions of the latter beingprovided with curved seats 15 which fit snugly iie erly assembled foruse, and the space 16 between plate 12 and journal and between the endwalls 14 serves as a waste chamber, that is, it contains a body of wasteor like fibrous material which makes direct contact with the surface ofthe journal. To retain the waste in this chamber, upwardly projectingribs or prongs 17 are formed integral with the plate 12.

Formed integral with plate 12 and depending therefrom is alongitudinally disv bore 23 and chamber 19 is a vertically disposedaperture 24.

Mounted for reciprocatory movement in bore 23 is a plunger rod 25, therear portion of which is reduced in diameter, as designated by 26, andthe end of this reduced portion bears in a cylindrical plug 27", thelatter being screw-seated in the rear end of bore 23. Located on thereduced portion 26 of this plunger rod is a compression spring 28, oneend of which bears against the shoulder at the forward end of thereduced portion 26 and the other end bearing against plug 27.

Formed in the central portion of rod 25 is a vertically disposedaperture 29 in which is loosely mounted the upper end of a lever 30, thelower end thereof occupying aperture 21 in piston 20. This lever isfulcrumed on a pin 31, the same being seated in plate 12.

The outer end of plunger rod 25 projects slightly beyond the end ofplate 12 and said outer end carries a loosely mounted ball 32, the outerportion of the latter projecting beyond the outer face of receptacle 10or in such position as to be engaged by the hub B of the wheel carriedupon journal A. Formed in with the ends of chamber 19 are verticallydisposed openings 23 in the lower portions of which are. formed suitableseats upon which normally rest ball valves 34.

Leading in both directions from each opening 33 through the curved plate12 are transversely disposed ducts or passageways 35, the outer endsthereof communicating with thewaste chamber 16 atpoints near the sidesthereof.

In the construction of the automatic lubricator just described, it willbe understood that receptacle 1O occupies a relatively fixed positionand that journal A carrying wheel B in addition to its rotary movementhas aplate 12 and communicating said journal.

longitudinal movement in one direction, the

hub of wheel B will bear against ball 32 seated in the outer end ofplunger rod 25 thereby forcing the latter inward against the resistanceoffered by spring 28 and as parts A and B move in theopposite direction,said spring 21 will act to return the plunger rod to its outer limit ofmovement. Thus, while the journal and wheel are in operation, plungerrod 25 will be continuously reciprocated, and through the medium oflever 29, plunger 20 will be reciprocated in chamber 19 with the resultthat liquid lubricant in the ends of said chamber will be forced upwardpast ball valves 34 into openings 33 and from thence upwardly throughducts 35.

The liquid lubricant thus forced upwardly will discharge from the upperends of the ducts directly into the body of waste container within thespace or chamber 16 and by said waste, the liquid lubricant will bedelivered directly to the surface of journal A, thereby effectuallylubricating the latter.

It will be understood that it is necessaryto maintain a supply of liquidlubricant within container 10 and as piston 20 is moved alternately inopposite directions, the pairs of apertures 22 {are uncovered, therebypermitting the liquid lubricant to pass from the chamber Withincontainer 10 into the end portions of chamber 19.

Referring now to the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6,36 designates a journal box of the standard M. C. B. type, 37 anaxle,and 38 the journal on the end of said axle and which occupies thejournal box. Arranged within the lower portion of the journal box andinclosing the lower portion of the journal is a receptacle 39, the samebeing supported upon compression springs 40 and the inner end of theWall of this receptacle fits snugly against the axle 37 at a point justbeyond the inner end of journal 38.

Formed on the inner faces of the sides of this receptacle arelongitudinally disposed ball races 41 in which are positioned balls 42and supported thereby is a concave plate 43, the same being positionedimmediately beneath journal 38 with its ends bearing against theshoulders at the ends of This concave plate is positioned a shortdistance below the periphery of the journal and the space 44 betweensaid plate and journal is occupied by a body of waste or like fibrousmaterial'which contacts directly with the surface of the journal. Thisbody of waste is retained in position by means of ribs or prongs 45which project upwardly and inwardly from plate 43.

Formed integral with the underside of plate 43 is a longitudinallydisposed housing 46 in which is formed a chamber 47 and mounted forreciprocatory movement in said chamber is a double-ended piston 48.Formed in the underside of the central portion of this piston is atransversely dis: posed notch 49, the same being occupied by atransversely disposed flange or web 50 the latter belng formed integralwith the bottom of receptacle 39. Formed through the side wallsofhousing 46 and communicating with the piston chamber 47 are oil inletapertures 51. Formed through plate 43 and communicating with the ends ofpiston chamber 47 are openings 52, the lower portions of which areprovided with seats upon which normally rest ball valves 53.

In this form of automatic lubricator, it will be understood thatreceptacle 39 oocupies a fixed or stationary position relative to theaxle and journal and that concave plate 43 which carries the body ofwaste moves longitudinally with the journal 38 and consequently movesbackward and forward within receptacle 39. Piston 48 is held practicallystationary by engagement with web or flange 50, and as the wastecarrying plate 43 moves backward and forward the movement of housing 46relative to piston 48 will produce a pumping action with the result thatliquid lubricant will enter chamber 47 through apertures 51 and thislubricant will be forced upward past ball valves 53 and will dischargefrom openings 52 directly onto the bodyof waste positioned in the space44 with the result that the surface'of the journal 38 will becontinuously lubricated while said journal is in motion.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, 54 designatesa journal box and 55 the journal operating therein. Formed integral withthe box at a point above the bottom thereof is a concave plate 56 whichoccupies a position immediately beneath the journal 55 and serves tohold a body 57 of waste, the same contacting directly with the surfaceof the 'ournal. Formed integral with the bottom of box 54 and preferablynear the center thereof is a vertically disposed cylinder 58 inwhich ismounted for reciprocatory movement a piston 59. Formed through the lowerportion of the wall of this cylinder is one or more apertures 60, thesame serving to establish communication between the chamber in thebottom of the box and the lower. portion of the piston chamber incylinder 58.

Leading outwardly and upwardly from the lower portion of cylinder 58 andpreferably formed integral with the box 54 1s a tubular housing 61within which at a suitable point is located a ball valve 62. The upperend of this tubular housing is preferably closed by a plug or cap 63,and

formed through the wall of the housing so as to establish communicationbetween the chamber within said housing and the space occupied by thewaste is an aperture 64. Formed in the outer end wall ofbox 54 andpreferably in alinement with the axis of journal 55 is a horizontallydisposed housing 65 in which is loosely mounted a short plunger rod 66,the inner end thereof normally bearing directly against the outer faceof journal 55. Arranged within the housing 65 behind this spring 67.

F ulcrumed on'a suitable bracket on the outer end'of plate 56 is a bellcrank lever 68, the end of'the vertical arm of which is operativelyassociated with plunger rod 66 and the end of the horizontal leg of thislever is operatively associated with piston 59.

In this construction it will be understood that the journal'55 has aslight longitudinal movement relative to journal box 54, and

plunger rod is a compression .as this longitudinal movement takes place,

plunger rod 66 will be forced outward as a result of pressure from thelongitudinally moving journal 55 and when the journal moves in theopposite direction, spring 67 will act to correspondingly move plunger66. This reciprocatory movement of plunger rod will betransmitted tobell crank lever 68 with the result that piston 59 will bereciprocatedvertically within housing 68 andliquid lubricant enteringthe lower portion of this piston chamber through aperture 60 will beforced outwardly and upwardly through tubular housing 61, past ballcheck T 62 and this liquid lubricant will finally distion of the journalwhich engages the brass or journal bearing.

It willbe readily understood that minor changes in the size,.form andconstruction of the various parts of my improved lubricating device maybe made and substituted for those herein shown and described, withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is setforth in the appended claims.

I claim: v l. The combination with a journal box,

of a container provided with a liquid lubricant compartment and aseparate waste compartment, which container is yieldingly supportedbeneath an axle journal, a pump within said container for deliveringliquid lubricant from the liquid lubricant compartment to the wastecompartment, and means for actuating said pump, the operation of whichpump actuatlng means is dependent upon the longitudinal movement of thej ournal with respect to the container.

2. The combination with a journal box, of a container provided with aliquid lubricant compartment and a separate waste compartment, whichcontainer is yieldingly supported beneath an axle journal, a pump withinsaid container for delivering liquid lubricant from the liquid lubricantcompartment to the waste compartment, and means including aspring-pressed member which is directly en aged by the journal duringits longitudina movement for operating said pumpl.

3. he combination with a journal box, of yieldingly supported means forretaining a body of waste in direct contact with the journal operatingin said box, a pump associated with said yieldingly supported means fordelivering liquid lubricant into the waste holding means, and means foractuating said pump, the operation of which pump actuat ing means isdependent upon the longitudinal movement of the journal with respect tothe journal box.

4. The combination with a journal box, of yieldingly supported means forretaining a body of waste in direct contact with the journal operatingin said box, a pump associated with said yieldingly supported means fordelivering liquid lubricant into the waste holding means, aspring-pressed member adapted to be directly engaged by the journalduring its longitudinal movement relative to the journal box, andoperating connections between said springpressed member and pump.

5. The combination with a journal box, of a liquid lubricant containeryieldingly supported within the box beneath the journal therein, a wastecontainer mounted for reciprocating movement within the liquid lubricantcontainer, a pump adapted to efiect a circulation of liquid lubricantfrom said liquid lubricant container into the waste contalner, and meansfor actuating sa1d pump, the operation of which pump actuatbox, aspring-pressed member adapted to be directly engaged and actuated by thelengthwise movement of the journal within said box, and operatingconnections between saids ring-pressed member and pump.

7 he combination with a journal box, of a liquid container positionedbeneath the journal in thebox, and a waste container arranged forreciprocatory movement within. said liquid container.

8. The combination with a journal box, of a liquid container positionedbeneath the journal in the box, a waste containerarranged forreciprocatory movement within said liquid container, and a pumpassociated with said containers for effecting a circulation of liquidlubricant from the liquid lubricant container to the waste container.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 9th day ofAugust, 1918.

JAMES J. HENNESSY. Witnesses: i

W. G. MCCONKEY, W. E. GREENWOOD.

